The hapless bird, a Harris Hawk, had become trapped in branches around 12 metres from the ground in Chelsea Court (L12) yesterday, around 4.30pm.

A resident called the RSPCA in to help, but Inspector Claire Fisher realised there was little she could do.

Tree surgeons Gary Smith and Clinton McGivern

She told the Echo: “I located the tree and found a Harris Hawk perched awkwardly on a branch approximately 12 metres high. The caller had described how the bird had been hanging and was getting increasingly distressed.

“Fire and rescue were called to assess the situation, but unfortunately due to access and the position of the bird on a small branch, some distance from the trunk of the tree, we’re not able to safely rescue the bird.”

Rather than get in a flap Inspector Fisher called on the help of Big Tree Liverpool, based in Hope Street.

Tree surgeons Gary Smith and Clinton McGivern, both 38, rushed to the scene before the distressed bird injured itself.

Mr Smith, of Rainhill, said: “I got the call about 5pm and went to pick up another climber, which we have to do by law. We shot down there and climbed up to the top of the tree above the bird and lowered a climber down.

“We had to saw the branch that the bird was trapped on and lower it down to avoid its talons.”

Once on the ground it was checked over by Inspector Fisher who described it as “ a little bedraggled but luckily not injured.”

Mr Smith said: “It was a bit different from what we normally do, it’s good to be able to help. Not many people would have been able to get close to the bird because the branches were so thin.”

The Harris hawk which was trapped in a tree in West Derby

The hawk had become trapped by its jessies; strips of leather around its legs used to tether birds of prey in falconry.

Inspector Fisher said the bird is identifiable by a ring, and procedures are underway to find its rightful owners.

Anyone who is missing a Harris Hawk should get in contact with Inspector Fisher 839 by calling the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999.